Aspire One boot-up problem: "No bootable device..."

Got my mother an Aspire One (Windows XP, 120 gigs) for Christmas, and I've encountered a bit of a problem after a week or two of normal use.

Upon boot-up, after the Acer splash screen, I get a screen basically informing me that no bootable devices are present.
It ends with:

"No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key"

Needless to say, I'm a bit pissed, but I've been reading around for solutions to the problem for the last hour or so. I'm still a bit confused about what exactly I should do, but I'm downloading an Unofficial Aspire One Recovery Disk and another recovery disk.

My main question is this: How will I be able to access my main PC's disc drive when I'm ready to load those solutions on to the netbook? Do I simply hook up my computer and this netbook via a crossover cable?

Also, are there any other more efficient solutions to this problem?

What causes it anyway?

 

I know I could have probably prevented this with the recovery software that I saw loading the first time I booted the device. I never got a chance to really configure the machine for her and check it out myself.

 

Hi Kayode,

Maybe you should start with checking your BIOS settings.

Hit F2 during boot to Enter them.
(Option(s) should be displayed on screen during boot up)
Check to see if your Hard Drive is still being recognized
if it;s still there
Check the settings for the boot drive and correct them if need be.

Sounds like you're hard drive died or somehow the AA1 is trying to boot from a non-existing boot medium (usb or external drive)

Hope this helps you out

 

HDD Model Name: None
HDD Serial Number:

Does this mean the HDD is dead?

How would that have happened? Is there any way I can try to fix it without voiding the warranty?

Damn...

 

Anyone?

 

Hi kayode,

that looks bad gimme a few minutes..

My last hope for you: Anything showing in the BOOT menu of the BIOS?

Sorry to say this but i'm afraid it's a goner. It could be a simple problem but when you open it up your warranty is gone.

Better play it safe and take it back to the shop

 

Checking...

Only device with info in the Boot menu is in the Network Boot section. Every other category is blank.

Well it looks like I'll have to get this replaced. Still, it's good to have some closure.

I haven't gotten a chance to read the warranty and I'm not familiar with Acer's reputation in that aspect. Will they respond positively to my report, and how long should it take for the machine to be fixed/replaced?

 

Sucks though...I planned to get one of these for myself later this year, and I'd hoped to gauge the quality by testing out my mother's. After this experience, I think I'll have to check out another brand.

 

Sorry to hear that and Yep i agree that sucks...

Luckily i've no experience with ACER in that field.. mine is still(?) working.
Try the shop where it was bought first they might just give a you a new one since it is very new.
If they won't budge ..go the Acer route ... it's a rather respectable company don't worry about that it will probably take them some time to replace it. I don't know where you live so i've no idea.

The quality of the Acer is not that bad i'm afraid you were just the unlucky one that got a bad draw

regards,
woodland

 

I bought it off Amazon, and I don't think their warranty covers what happened. They only do DOA or damaged on arrival returns.

In that case, how do I interact with Acer? Call them up and report the situation?

What's likely to happen after that? (As in, will I have to ship it to them or drop it off somewhere etc?)

 

Well i'm sorry but i live in Malta... since 7 months, I'm Dutch, didn't your Acer come with the full documentation?
In my box was a lot of stuff on warranty and wordlwide guarantee..

try here for more info: http://us.acer.com

Good luck

 

Thanks for your help and advice.

 

Just my two cents...

First--Acer should replace your computer. They installed a faulty HDD into your unit.

Second--before this fault can be labeled as an Acer problem, wouldn't it be the drive manufacturer who produced the faulty drive? All Acer did was unbox and install it. Just saying...

Should they test every drive before it goes out the door? Probably.
Would it be cost effective to do so? Probably not.

 

This exact same thing has just happened to me, I'll guess I'll have to take it back to the shop